Paul Revere Rides into Town Through Bing's Images

The Big Read, in case you're among the initiated, is a national program that celebrates the classics of American literature. This year the organization is spotlighting the poetry of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.

Presented by the Caldwell Public Library, acclaimed children's book illustrator and political cartoonist Chistopher Bing, whose works include adding imagery to a book based on Longfellow's "The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere," has visited schools throughout The Caldwells this week.

Bing stopped by Mount St. Dominic's new Doris M. Byrne Performing Arts Center for a public presentation Tuesday night.

His work proclaimed by Sister Frances Sullivan, Mount's head of school, as a "balance of the artistic and the historical," Bing took center stage. He quickly explained that he "doesn't have a formal presentation" and then shifted the focus to his work, promising to answer all questions afterward.

Contrary to him saying that he didn't have a set structure, Bing, who grew up and lives in Lexington, Mass., along the Freedom Trail, offered a vivid dissertation of the late 1700s. Using his Paul Revere pictures as reference points, Bing's reading of the Longfellow poem and commentary made history come alive.

A passionate artist, Bing deconstructed his projected imagery to demonstrate his devotion to factual detail. Since he's reflecting someone else's written word, Bing admitted it's not always the easiest thing to do.

After one passage, he said, "Longfellow wrote me into a corner ... This is the only historically inacurrate picture in the book." After reading its correlating stanza, he again pointed to his art and added, "it's accurate—it just didn't happen!"

It Only Looks Easy

After the inital presentation, Bing conducted a revealing question-and-answer in which he outlined his process for creating illustrations like the ones in the Paul Revere book:

• It takes Bing a week and half to do a basic sketch.
• He then photocopies it onto watercolor paper.
• He staples the copy to a board and lets it dry.
• The coloring process takes another week and half.

The illustrator further candidly admitted that he "does mess up on these!" and referred to a picture in the Paul Revere book, saying he made two mistakes.

Bing's creations and personable nature that brought the artwork to life, entertained the crowd of about 75 that ranged in ages.

The night began with a performance by the male vocal group The Dapper Dans of Harmony, who will put on a Longfellow-themed performances at The First Presperterian Church at Caldwell on April 17 at 7 p.m.

Bing's visit was made possible by contributions by The Big Read, with matching funds provided by the Kiwanis Club of Caldwell/West Essex, the Rotary Club of the Caldwells, and a donation by the Caldwell/West Caldwell Education Foundation.